5 essential Gene Hackman movies you can’t miss

Legendary actor Gene Hackman passed away on Wednesday afternoon at the age of 95 years old along with his wife Betsy Arakawa, 64, and their dog at their home in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

According to BBC, the Santa Fe Sheriff County stated that,

"This is an active investigation - however, at this time we do not believe that foul play was a factor."

With a career spanning 60 years, Gene Hackman has done it all. You name it. He's acted in different genres with different actors and directors and has given us his best. Movie after movie. No matter how his character is portrayed, be it the hero or the villain, be it action or comedy, he gives it his all.

Disclaimer: This piece reflects the writer's personal opinions and interpretations. Reader discretion is advised. If you have any opinions about which movies should be on this list, please share them with us.

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Here are 5 essential Gene Hackman movies you can’t miss

5) The Royal Tenenbaums

This movie was released in 2001, with Gene Hackman playing the role of Royal Tenenbaum who wants to bring his dysfunctional family back. A star-studded cast, which includes the Wilson brothers, Owen and Luke, Ben Stiller, Bill Murray, Anjelica Huston, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Danny Glover, this is considered to be Anderson's best work. With multiple things going on from the start, this movie won't leave you disappointed. In the end, he "Died tragically rescuing his family from the wreckage of a destroyed sinking battleship" as written on his epitaph.

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4) A Bridge Too Far

Another star-studded movie where Gene Hackman had short screen time yet delivered. Joining him on this list are all the A-listers Dirk Bogarde, Michael Caine, Sean Connery, Robert Crawford, Anthony Hopkins, the list goes on. He plays the role of Major General Sosabowski. The movie released in 1977 is based on Cornelius Ryan's book. They attempted to secure the bridges in the Netherlands to enter Germany but eventually failed.

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3) Mississippi Burning

In this 1988 movie, Gene Hackman stars along with William Dafoe and Frances McDormand. Hackman plays the role of the serious Agent Rupert Anderson who tries to search for the three civil rights activists. As an FBI agent, he tries to investigate the disappearance of three civil rights activists in the deep south of the country. He uncovers one thing after the other. Want to know? Then you must watch it as soon as possible.

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2) Unforgiven

Do you want guns, actions, cowboys, standoffs and Clint Eastwood? This movie has it all. Playing the role of Sheriff Little Bill Daggett, Gene Hackman is a ruthless enemy of Clint Eastwood's character William Munny. Munny is on a mission to hunt down a group of cowboys who attacked a prostitute as his last bounty-hunting job. Released in 1992, this movie bagged multiple awards including Best Supporting Actor by Gene Hackman.

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1) The French Connection

This 1971 movie is based on a true story about NYPD police detectives Jimmy Doyle and Buddy Russo as they look into a heroin smuggling operation from France to New York. Gene Hackman plays the role of police detective Jimmy "Popeye" Doyle, which was brilliantly performed and earned him the Best Actor Award that year.

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These five movies showcase Hackman's ability as an actor in different genres throughout his six-decade career, which has had an impact on cinema and the audience.